The Department of Science and Technology is celebrating Women’s Month by recognising a number of South Africa’s leading women scientists.

Announcing the 2008 Women in Science Award winners at a gala dinner on 8 August 2008, Minister Mosibudi Mangena applauded women scientists for their immense contribution to the upliftment of all South Africans, and women in particular.

He told delegates that “our challenge as a relatively small developing country with a relatively small population is to take whatever advantage we can for ourselves, our country and our fellow South Africans”.

The awards were created by the Department of Science and Technology in association with L’Oreal and the National Commission for UNESCO to profile the achievements of leading women scientists in the South African science system.

The top award in the Distinguished Women Scientist category was won by Prof. Brenda Wingfield of the University of Pretoria.

Wingfield, a National Research Foundation rated scientist for many years, internationally recognised for her research, is professor of genetics at the University of Pretoria and programme leader of the DST/NRF Centre of Excellence in Tree Health Biotechnology.

Her pioneering work in molecular biology has brought significant economic gains for the forestry industry and, ultimately, for the country as a whole.

Minister Mangena was pleased to introduce a new category this year, the Achiever Award for a Woman Scientist in Industry. “This award gives substance to our belief that if women are to take their rightful place in South African society, we have to make greater efforts to help them find careers in the industrial sector as well as in academia and research institutions,” he said.

The Achiever Award for a Woman in Industry was won by Zanele Gasa from the Coega Development Corporation.

Zanele's passion for architecture and the built environment was ignited during her matric year when she came across architectural plans for the school’s new buildings.

Gasa’s portfolio as developer of infrastructure is centred on creating sustainable jobs for contractors through the awarding of construction contracts. She designs and implements procurement delivery methodologies aimed at advancing the participation of construction SMMEs – some of which are run by women ‑ at various levels in the built environment.

Praising the talent and hard work of award recipients, the Minister said that the Women in Science Awards epitomised his department’s commitment to a culture shift in the science, engineering and technology environment.

The Best Emerging Young Scientist Award was won by Dr Dionne Shepherd, who has held an academic research post at the University of Cape Town since September 2007.

The main focus of her PhD research was on strategies that could be used to develop maize streak virus (MSV) resistant maize by genetic engineering.  She developed a model system to test potential resistance genes, and by the end of her PhD had shown for the first time that MSV resistance was achievable using genetic engineering.

Five more female scientists were honoured for their academic achievements in the fields of life and material sciences.

Dr Christiané Heiligers received a L’Oreal South Africa 2008 Fellowship for Women in Science for her research into microstructure and properties of a (possibly novel) ultra-hard material.

Dr Wanda Markotter of the University of Pretoria received the same award for her research into the epidemiology of rabies.

Women Scientist Fellowships went to Chitima Mugumbate (Chemistry), Dr Nosisa Matsiliza (Medical Biochemistry) and Belinda Huntley for developing an index model to measure the quality of mathematics questions in assessment programmes.

The DST is confident that the Women in Science Awards will leverage scientific career opportunities for women and encourage scientific research to improve the quality of life for all South Africans.

---Ends---

Issued by the Department of Science and Technology

For media enquiries, contact Kristin Klose, Manager: Communication and Media Liaison, Department of Science and Technology at 012 843 6784, 082 902 9503 or kristin.klose@dst.gov.za

or

Zama Mthethwa, Assistant Director: Communication and Media Liaison, Department of Science and Technology at 012 843 6781, 082 808 3956 or zama.mthethwa@dst.gov.za.